Power Plant Heavy Equipment Operator

Final date to receive applications:
Applications must be received by 11:59pm EDT, Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) is seeking a safety-focused Heavy Equipment Operator to support power generation operations. This hands-on role operates specialized heavy equipment, supports material handling activities, and performs basic equipment and facility maintenance in an industrial environment.

The ideal candidate has heavy equipment experience, strong safety awareness, and a willingness to learn and be coached. Candidates should be comfortable working at heights and flexible to work off-hours, weekends, or rotating shifts as operational needs require.

Non-Exempt

This is skilled work operating varied specialized heavy mobile equipment, performing preventive maintenance and basic repair of assigned equipment and performing minor building maintenance.

Depending on area of assignment:

Operates heavy equipment (track and rubber tire dozers, front end loader, vacuum truck, track hoe, railcar mover, off-road dump trucks, farm tractors with batwing mowers, zero turn mowers, man lifts, etc.) to receive, move, store, process, and dispose of coal, wood, ash, lime, by-products, sludge and other bulk raw materials, fuel or by-products of the power generating facilities.

Operates computer-controlled plant equipment for material loading and unloading of solid fuels and byproducts. Assists in underground excavations and piping repairs: staging portable pumps to maintain site pond levels as necessary.

Performs scheduled preventive maintenance and basic repair on assigned equipment and keeps equipment in good repair. Keeps and maintains preventive maintenance records.

Operates and maintains coal/wood handling equipment such as coal/wood conveyors and drive mechanisms, crushing equipment, scales, pulleys, belts, idlers, drives, and filtering equipment. Performs basic carpentry and painting tasks, and other facility maintenance tasks as assigned.

Safety must be held as a core value. The employee must be able to recognize hazards and address them through proper mitigation. The employee must be willing and able to challenge others to work safely and to stop any observed unsafe work practice or condition to resolve the issue promptly.

Observes and adheres to OSHA standards such as proper loto, confined space, hot work, etc. of plant equipment and systems in accordance with plant procedures, policies, and practices.

This position requires making sensitive safety decisions that affect the safety of the employee as well as other employees or contractors.

Non
- Essential Functions:

Responds in and to emergency situations.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

May work off hours, weekends or assigned to rotating shift.

Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.

Completion of all requirements as established in the Progression-Through-Training Program for a Power Plant Heavy Equipment Operator, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Adaptability, Flexibility, Fostering Innovation

Contributes to Achieving GRU's Mission

Customer Focus

Accountability & Dependability

Contributes to a Positive Work Environment

Safety

Valid Florida Class E Driver's License required

Thorough knowledge of track and rubber tire backhoe operations, frontend loaders, vac trucks, trackhoe, railcar movers, batwing mowers, zero turn mowers, man lifts, and off-road dump trucks as used in coal, wood, ash, lime, by-product and sludge processing and disposal.

Thorough knowledge of occupational hazards, safety rules/regulations and safety precautions.

Skill in use and care of tools, machinery, and equipment.

Ability to keep work records and make reports.

Ability to do intermediate level mathematical calculations.

Ability to read, understand, and comply with safety data sheets.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Sitting
- Continually

Standing or Walking
- Continually

Lifting or Carrying>50 lbs.

- Often

Pushing or Pulling > 50 lbs.

- Often

Reaching Overhead-Often

Reaching Above Shoulder Level
- Often

Keyboarding
- Often

Gross Manipulation
- Often

Fine Manipulation
- Often

Foot or Leg…